Scenes from CPAC 2018

Thousands of Republicans converged on CPAC, where they gather each year to celebrate their causes — and, in 2018, the populist movement that swept Trump into office one year ago.

But it was impossible to ignore the ever-present tragedy of rampaging gun violence, which has roiled American political discourse and put gun rights advocates and opponents under a hot spotlight.

Florida’s governor meanwhile announced that a police officer will be stationed at every public school in the state as part of a plan to improve security following last week’s deadly high school shooting.

And President Trump repeated his call for arming some of America’s teachers and claimed the controversial proposal was increasingly drawing support. (AFP)

Here’s a look at the scene as conservative activists gather at CPAC 2018.